Biosecurity Compliance in European Poultry Farms (FutureLearn)

Contribute to making poultry farming safer and more sustainable
Biosecurity measures are crucial to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens between poultry farms. Effective biosecurity helps to guarantee the health and the welfare of birds, as well as the quality and safety of poultry products.

Learn from leading European experts
Your course leaders are a team of expert researchers specialising in European poultry farming and biosecurity. They’ll provide step-by-step guidance on actions farms can take to enhance biosecurity.
You’ll compare and contrast levels of biosecurity compliance in different European countries, exploring how standards could be improved across the continent.

Examine biosecurity measures at each stage of the production cycle
Your next step is to understand the various biosecurity measures recommended prior to and at every stage of the production cycle.
You’ll master a wide range of essential processes, including vector control, waste management, and cleaning and disinfection.

Take a closer look at biosecurity in egg production
In the final week of the course, you’ll focus on the specific challenges of biosecurity in egg production. You’ll note the similarities and differences between egg and poultry farming, and learn how to safely handle hatching and table eggs.
You’ll finish the course armed with the training you need to make European poultry farming cleaner, safer, and more sustainable.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to biosecurity in poultry farming in Europe
Week 2: Biosecurity at each step of the poultry production: before starting the cycle
Week 3: Biosecurity along the productive cycle
Week 4: Biosecurity of eggs

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

• Describe the role of biosecurity and the importance of its compliance in poultry farms
• Justify the adoption of biosecurity practices in poultry production and in specific categories (i.e., broiler, broiler free range, layer, layer free range, turkey, duck, breeder, hatchery)
• Compare the poultry production chain of the seven countries involved in the project (i.e., Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Hungary, France and Belgium);

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone working on or interested in poultry farms across Europe.
It will also be useful for students of veterinary medicine or animal sciences who want to learn more about the specific challenges of biosecurity in poultry farming.